Rickie Fowler Responds to LIV Rumors after Losing Key Sponsors

Rickie Fowler was one of the biggest names linked to LIV when it first started recruiting players from the PGA Tour, and while he repeatedly shot down rumors of his potential defection, they never truly went away.

The speculation continued this past weekend after several mainstay sponsors of Fowler disappeared from his shirt. Both Rocket Mortgage and Farmers Insurance, which have been present on Fowler’s polos for the past few years, were no longer there.

Taking full advantage of the green ⛳️@RickieFowler | @TheSentry pic.twitter.com/tqwza1XAN6

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 4, 2024

Initially, the golf community started to speculate on what the reasoning was. Some thought Fowler might be on his way to LIV Golf, and that his intentions to join the rival to the PGA Tour eliminated a renewal of sponsorship from the companies.

However, Fowler shut down any idea of his defection during a recent interview with Golfweek. Highlighting his admiration of PGA Policy Board Members, Rickie ensured he has no plans to leave the Tour:

“Seeing how much work the guys on the (PGA Tour policy) board, especially being around (Patrick) Cantlay during the offseason a little bit and leading up to this event, I’ve never seen a person be on the phone so much. These guys are pouring a lot of time and effort into it. I was on the PAC last year but have tried to stay out of the way because the guys that are in there, I trust. With Jordan, Cantlay, Tiger and the other guys, I’ve just trusted that we’re all going to end up in a good spot and I have zero plans to go anywhere.”

Fowler is well aware people will talk. His name has been strongly linked to LIV for two years, and as his career has hit a speed bump over the past few years, people could not help but wonder whether he would take the massive money the Saudi-backed tour would offer him:

“I guess it’s the day and age we live in. There’s only so much you can believe or trust because anything can be put out there.”

It would not be out of line to do so, either. Brooks Koepka admitted during The Masters last year that if he would not have struggled with injuries, it might have made his decision more difficult.

Fowler has not necessarily dealt with ailments, but he has with consistency. After a successful young career, which included stealing Rookie of the Year honors from Rory McIlroy, a PLAYERS Championship, and finishing second in every Major other than the PGA Championship, where his best finish is third, his play has cooled off.

But he does not want to leave the Tour and is excited for his future:

“I’m real excited for what’s coming for me and for the tour and all the time and effort these guys have been putting into it.”

As for the absence of Rocket Mortgage and Farmers Insurance from his polo, it appears those two companies are ending sponsorships with the PGA Tour altogether.

Cover Image via Bunkered